When I first became interested in sports, Chinese websites were my primary source of information. Even as a teenager, I noticed how coverage often strayed into athletes’ private lives, relied on sensationalized headlines, and sidelined women’s sports. Unfortunately, these practices persist today, and throughout my career I’ve witnessed many more examples of how media narratives can distort, overlook, or even harm.

The sports I have covered have long faced issues such as abusive training cultures, gender inequality, and disregard for athletes’ rights and well-being. As a journalist in China, I sought to challenge these patterns by highlighting women’s sports and writing on topics that pushed against mainstream coverage.

One turning point came in 2021, when I produced a podcast episode on the domestic abuse allegations against tennis player Alexander Zverev. A guest on that episode, a domestic abuse social worker, encouraged me to dig deeper into the intersection of sports and gender — a step that led me to apply for the Erasmus Mundus MAiSI program.

Through MAiSI, I explored ethical issues across sport, from anti-doping and match manipulation to athlete safeguarding. I also deepened my commitment to gender equity while developing a strong interest in disability inclusion. These remain under-discussed areas, or at least ones we cannot afford to stop discussing. The controversies of the Paris 2024 Olympics, such as questions around Steven van de Velde’s participation, or the false suspicions directed at Iman Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting, show just how visible and urgent these issues are today.

As a sports journalist trained in ethics and committed to inclusion, I see storytelling not only as a way to inform but also as a responsibility: to raise awareness, challenge harmful narratives, and keep equity and integrity at the center of sport.